The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-18


with the garlands of serpentarias and aristo-
lochas, impregnated the air with their pene-
trating perfumes. But the water was of no
depth: it running off in tiny streams, and
the ebb would soon leave the ground quite dry
Among the streams were few huts, which did
not seem to have been recently occupied, al
though it seemed though good many ami
mails had made 1t their home. There were dogs
barking, and cats mewing, and frogs croaking,
and snakes Kissing. but there were neither dogs
ror cats, nor frogs snakes, for the cries
were the call of the cat-bird sort OF thrush
with q black b cad and orange throat.
1t was about o'clock in the afternoon. The
boat was alongside thick clump OF reeds, when
n powerful stroke of the gaH from Mars cleared
away a heap of verjure that had seemed to be
impenetrable. Beyond was sort of backwater
some half acre in extent, where the sun never
penetrated through the dome of tull, trees.
Il did not know of this pond" said Mars, rls-
ing to look round the banks.
Let us explore 1t them said Gilbert. 1t
ought TO communicate with the row of lagoons,
which may be fed by some creek Up which We
may find our way"
THAT is So" said Mars, 'and I see an open
ing over there to the northwest"
do you know whore we arep
Not exactly, unless this is what they call
Black Creek; but thought. like everybody else,
that it was Impossible to get into 1t, and that 1t
had comm unication with the St. Johns"
Had there not used to be a biockhouse here
to keep tine Seminoles in checkW
Somewhere, yes But that was years ago,
and the entrance to the creek is shut and the
fortress abandoned. l have never been there.
but it is all in ruins"
Let get there" said Gilbert.
We'll try" said Mars, although it will be diff
fcult to do The water will soon be off, and
the marsh will not give very good footing
well, if there is not enough water. we'll stop
in tine boat"
I'VE must not lose any time; it is o'clock.
and the night soon makes under these trees"
1t indeed Black creek into which, by
lucky stroke of the boat-hook. Gilbert and Mars
had found an entrance The lagoon was,
know, only practicable for light sklffs such as
that used by Squambo when he and his master
vsntured the St. Johns To reach the block
house in the middle of the creek. knowledge of
the thousand twists and turns necessary,
and for many years no one had 7entured to at
tempt such a thing The existence of the
fortress had dropped out of recollection, and
hence its security for the strange malignant
parsonage who had made it his home.
To steer up the labyrinth required the thread
of Ariadne, for it was always in darkness, even
when the sun was on the meridian. Without
the thread, chance alone could reveal the GEN.
trail island; and it to chance that Gilbert
and Mars had to trust. When they were out of
the first pond they entered series of channels
and padded on, urged by some secret present
ment. AS they were going to explore the whole
country, it would never DO to leave this lagoon
unknown.
In about half an hour the boat had gone a
mile. More than once some bank had blocked
the way, and they had to paddle back and try
another channel Strong he was. the half
breed felt that he wanted rest after his eff
forts. But he would not stop until ne had
few rays of the sun found their ways through
the trees.
''That is queer" said he.
NV hat is the matter!" asked Gilbert
There signs of cultivation on that island"
Soon they landed on less marshy bank than
most OF the others.
culture. A few yams were visible here and
there; there were four or five burrows in the
soil; pick was sticking in the ground.
THE creek is Inhabited" said Gilbert.
known
some backwoodsmen or Indians who grow vege-
tables
Then they may have built houses, cabins"
IF there is to be found we shall find it,"
1t of great interest to discover what sort
of people lived at Black creek. Were they
hunters from the lower country, we're they
Seminoles, who still live in the marshy parts of
Florida2
Without thinking of returning. Gilbert and
Mars got back into the boat and followed up
the curves Of the creek, peering into the thick
of the bushes in every direction. Sometimes
they saw house, but it was only a curtain of
verdure stretching from tree to tree Some
times they thought man was looking at them,
but it only twisted roof with outline
in the shape of human figure. Perhaps what
was hidden from their eyes would reveal itself
TO their ears? Tie least noise in this deserted
place would reveal a mans presence.
Half an hour after their first halt they reached
the central island. The blockhousa was SO com
pletely hidden in the trees that nothing couldsbe
seen of it. 1t seemed though the creek
ended, and that further passage was imprac-
tcable.
~ do not think we can 60 further" said
Mars; ''there is water"
But" said the officer, I'VE could not have
been wrong about the cultivated patch. People
come to this creek. They may have been here
recently. Perhaps they are here nowa
perhaps; but we must make the best of the
daylight to get back to the St. Johns Night is
coming on The darkness will soon be thick.
and how we then make out the wayl /
think we had better return and come back first
thing tomorrow morning. Let us go back as
usual, to Castle House. We can tell them what
we have seen. and prepare to explore Black
creek with better chance of success"
Yes. that is the best. But before We go l
should like"
look under the trees, and he was about to give
the order to put off when he stopped Mars by
gesture.
The half-breed stood up and listened.
A cry rather sort of groan. was heard
which could not be COMPOUNDED with that of a
beast of the forest. It was cry of despair and
lamentaton, the appeal of human being in
great pain, the last appeal of voice about to be
silent forever.
THAT is manw said Gilbert. 'He wants
help Perhaps he is dying"
Yes" said Mars. 1--WE must go to him. We
must find out VINO he is. Jump ashorer'
This was done in moment. The painter was
hitched on to stump, and they were up the
bank and under the trees and looking for the
footprints of men as revealed by the last rays
of the sun. They followed these up. Now and
then they stopped aud listened. Could they
heard it close by, very near them now; the
darkness growing deeper, but they could
reach the spot from which the sounds came
Suddenly a more doleful cry was heard. There
was no mistake about the direction. In few
steps Gilbert and Mars were through thcket
and in the presence of man stretched the
ground near palisade.
Stabbed in the chest the blood flowing
from him. and formed pool around. Tie last
breath was on his lips He had but few mo-
ments to live.
Gilbert and Mars stopped over him. He
opened his eyes and vainly tried to answer the
questions put to him.
I'VE must see this MANI said Gilbert. Get
q torch set knot on frev'
Mars had already snapped off resinous bough
from one of the trees that grew in such numbers
on the island. He lighted it with a match, and
its smoky flames illuminated the gloom.
Gilbert knelr near the dying man. He was
negro, slave. and still young. His shirt lay
open and showed the cash made by the knife.
The wound was mortal for the lung was pierced.
WHO are you! Who you?" asked Gill